External light illumination of display screens

ABSTRACT

Apparatus and methods for harnessing external light to illuminate a display screen of an electronic device are provided. The display screen may be illuminated using a light harness, a reflector, a translucent surface, or any combination thereof. The light harness may be cylindrical or hexahedral. The light harness may be coupled to an external light input or a collector. The reflector may be repositioned toward or away from the display screen to reflect external light toward the display screen. The translucent surface may allow external light to pass through it to illuminate the display screen. The translucent surface may protect the rear face of the display screen, or the rear face of the display screen may itself be translucent.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention can relate to apparatus and methods for harnessingexternal light to illuminate a display screen of an electronic device.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

Currently, there are a wide variety of electronic devices, such aslaptop computers and cellular telephones, that include a display screenfor presenting visual information to a user (e.g., a liquid crystaldisplay (“LCD”) screen). These electronic devices often devotesignificant portions of the physical space within the device tohigh-powered components for illuminating the display screen. However,these electronic devices may not be used effectively in certain physicalsettings, such as, for example, where the external or ambient light isbrighter than the illumination of the display screen. As a result, auser may not be able to view the information on the display screensufficiently. For example, a user may have difficulty viewing theinformation presented on a display screen of a laptop computer whileoutdoors on a sunny day.

Therefore, it would be beneficial to provide apparatus and methods forcollecting external light to help illuminate a display screen of anelectronic device.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

Apparatus and methods for harnessing external light to illuminate adisplay screen of an electronic device are provided. In one embodiment,an electronic device is provided that may include a display screen and alight harness. The light harness may include a first surface extendingbetween a first end and a second end. The first end may be configured tocollect light external to the electronic device, and the first surfacemay be configured to emit the collected light from the light harness forilluminating the display screen.

In one embodiment, an electronic device is provided that may include adisplay screen and a reflector having a first face operative to reflectlight external to the electronic device toward the display screen forilluminating the display screen.

In one embodiment, a method of illuminating a display screen of anelectronic device with a light harness is provided. The method mayinclude positioning the light harness adjacent a first face of thedisplay screen, collecting light external to the electronic device intothe light harness, and emitting the collected light from the lightharness toward the first face of the display screen.

In one embodiment, a method of illuminating a display screen of anelectronic device with a reflector having a first face is provided. Themethod may include positioning the first face of the reflector oppositea first side of the display screen, and reflecting light external to theelectronic device with the first face of the reflector toward the firstside of the display screen.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other aspects and features of the invention will becomemore apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description,taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which likereference characters refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIG. 1 shows a simplified schematic diagram of an electronic device inaccordance with some embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 2A shows a top, front, right perspective view of the electronicdevice of FIG. 1 in an open position in accordance with some embodimentsof the invention;

FIG. 2B shows a bottom, back, left perspective view of the electronicdevice of FIGS. 1 and 2A in a closed position in accordance with someembodiments of the invention;

FIG. 2C is a cross-sectional view of the electronic device of FIGS.1-2B, taken from line IIC-IIC of FIG. 2A, in accordance with someembodiments of the invention;

FIG. 3A shows a horizontal cross-sectional view of a portion of theelectronic device of FIGS. 1-2C, taken from line IIIA-IIIA of FIG. 2C,in accordance with some embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 3B shows a vertical cross-sectional view of a portion of theelectronic device of FIGS. 1-3A, taken from line IIIB-IIIB of FIG. 3A,in accordance with some embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional view of a portion of the electronicdevice of FIGS. 1-3B, taken from line IV-IV of FIG. 2C in accordancewith some embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 5A shows an electronic device with a reflector in a closed positionin accordance with some embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 5B shows the electronic device of FIG. 5A with the reflector in anopen position in accordance with some embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 5C shows a cross-sectional view of the electronic device of FIGS.5A and 5B, taken from line VC-VC of FIG. 5A, in accordance with someembodiments of the invention;

FIG. 5D shows a cross-sectional view of the electronic device of FIGS.5A-5C, taken from line VD-VD of FIG. 5B, in accordance with someembodiments of the invention;

FIG. 6A shows a side view of an electronic device including atranslucent surface in accordance with some embodiments of theinvention;

FIG. 6B shows a side view of the electronic device of FIG. 6A includinga reflector in accordance with some embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 7A shows a side view of an electronic device including atranslucent surface and a reflector in accordance with some embodimentsof the invention;

FIG. 7B shows a side view of the electronic device of FIG. 7A, but withthe reflector in an open position, in accordance with some embodimentsof the invention;

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of an illustrative process for illuminating adisplay screen using a light harness in accordance with some embodimentsof the invention; and

FIG. 9 is a flowchart of an illustrative process for illuminating adisplay screen using a reflector in accordance with some embodiments ofthe invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

In some embodiments, external light may be collected to illuminate adisplay screen of an electronic device. The external light may originatefrom any source or combination of sources sufficient to at leastpartially illuminate the display screen, such as an accessory lightbulb, the centralized illumination system in a vehicle cabin, or thesun. The electronic device may be any device capable of presentinginformation to a user on a display screen. The display screen mayinclude any suitable screen, such as a liquid crystal display (“LCD”)screen, that may present visual information to a user of an electronicdevice and, in some instances, accept user input information (e.g., atouch screen).

In some embodiments, a manifold or a light guide pipe may be used toredirect external light to illuminate a display screen of an electronicdevice. The manifold may be positioned behind or adjacent the displayscreen (e.g., along one of the edges of the display screen, such as thebase) and may extend along the length of the display screen. In someembodiments, the manifold may be cylindrical with angled walls such thatone end of the manifold has a larger diameter than the opposite end ofthe manifold. Light may travel into an open end of the manifold and theangled walls of the manifold may cause the light entering the open endof the manifold to be reflected within the manifold until the light maybe collimated and able to exit the manifold through a wall portion. Aninterior surface of a wall portion of the manifold may includereflective material to improve the uniformity of the exiting light byaiming all light reflected within the manifold in one or more specificdirections.

In some embodiments, the manifold may be hexahedral (e.g., rectangularor cubic), rather than cylindrical with angled walls. The manifold maycontain reflecting cones at intervals along an interior surface of themanifold to aim light out from within the manifold. In some embodiments,the manifold may be coupled to a collector that may be shaped as afunnel or an umbrella, for example, to harness external light andchannel it into the manifold.

In some embodiments, an array of internal light sources (e.g., “LED”s)may be positioned within the electronic device and along one or moreedges of a display screen. For example, the internal light sources maybe positioned along the same edge of the display screen as a manifold,or may be positioned along a different edge of the display screen than amanifold. The internal light sources may emit light across the displayscreen to illuminate the display screen. However, the light emitted bythe internal light sources may not be sufficient in certain physicalsettings (e.g., outdoors) to properly illuminate the display screen. Theinternal light sources may also increase the power consumption of theelectronic device. Therefore, a manifold or other light harness may beused along one or more edges of the display screen in conjunction withor as an alternative to the internal light sources to provideillumination to the display screen by emitting light channeled from anexternal light source across the display screen.

In some embodiments, a reflector may be used behind a display screen ofan electronic device to reflect light toward the display screen. Thereflector may reflect light exiting a manifold or light guide pipe thatmay be positioned behind or adjacent to the display screen. Additionallyor alternatively, the reflector may reflect light emitted by internallight sources that may be positioned behind or adjacent to the displayscreen. The reflector may be removable from the electronic device andmay have a reflective lining to enhance its ability to reflect lighttoward the display screen.

In some embodiments, the reflector may be coupled to the electronicdevice adjacent to an edge (e.g., the base) of the display screen suchthat the reflector may be pivoted to rotate away from the displayscreen. Once rotated away, the reflector may collect ambient light, suchas sunlight, and may reflect the ambient light toward the displayscreen. Permitting the reflector to pivot away from the display screenmay also allow ambient light to directly reach the display screenwithout being reflected by the reflector. In some embodiments, in orderto pivot the reflector away from the display screen, a portion of thereflector may be magnetically or otherwise detachable from a portion ofthe display screen.

In some embodiments, a translucent surface may be provided, either as aremovable surface positioned behind a display screen of an electronicdevice or as a permanent rear surface of a display screen, to pass orharness external light for illuminating the display screen. Thetranslucent surface may also serve to protect the rear face of thedisplay screen from damage.

In some embodiments, a translucent surface and a reflector may both beprovided behind a display screen of an electronic device to harnessexternal light for illuminating the display screen. The reflector may bepositioned behind both the display screen and the translucent surface,or the reflector may be positioned between the display screen and thetranslucent surface. In some embodiments, the reflector may be removablefrom between the display screen and the translucent surface if a user ofthe electronic device wishes to use only the translucent surface toharness ambient light to illuminate the display screen. If there is noambient light, the user may insert the reflector between the translucentsurface and the display screen to reflect light from any other suitablesource (e.g., from an array of internal light sources positionedadjacent the display screen and/or from a manifold positioned adjacentthe display screen).

In some embodiments, the translucent surface may be positioned betweenthe display screen and the reflector. The reflector may be similarlyremovable as described above, or the reflector may be configured torotate away from the display screen and to expose the translucentsurface to ambient light while reflecting additional ambient lighttoward the display screen.

Apparatus and methods for harnessing external light to illuminate adisplay screen of an electronic device are provided and described withreference to FIGS. 1-9.

FIG. 1 is a simplified schematic diagram of an electronic device 100 inaccordance with some embodiments of the invention. The term “electronicdevice” can include, but is not limited to, music players, videoplayers, still image players, game players, other media players, musicrecorders, video recorders, cameras, other media recorders, radios,medical equipment, domestic appliances, transportation vehicleinstruments, musical instruments, calculators, cellular telephones,other wireless communication devices, personal digital assistants,remote controls, pagers, computers (e.g., desktops, laptops, tablets,servers, etc.), monitors, televisions, stereo equipment, set up boxes,set-top boxes, boom boxes, modems, routers, keyboards, mice, speakers,printers, and combinations thereof.

As shown in FIG. 1, electronic device 100 may include housing 101,processor 102, memory 104, power supply 106, communications circuitry108, bus 109, input component 110, output component 112, light harness(e.g., a manifold) 114, and internal light source 116. Bus 109 mayinclude one or more wired or wireless links that provide paths fortransmitting data and/or power, to, from, or between various componentsof electronic device 100 including, for example, processor 102, memory104, power supply 106, communications circuitry 108, input component110, and output component 112.

Memory 104 may include one or more storage mediums, including, but notlimited to, a hard-drive, flash memory, permanent memory such asread-only memory (“ROM”), semi-permanent memory such as random accessmemory (“RAM”), any other suitable type of storage component, and anycombinations thereof. Memory 104 may include cache memory, which may beone or more different types of memory used for temporarily storing datafor electronic device applications.

Power supply 106 may provide power to the electronic components ofelectronic device 100. In some embodiments, power supply 106 can becoupled to a power grid (e.g., when device 100 is not a portable device,such as a desktop computer). In some embodiments, power supply 106 caninclude one or more batteries for providing power (e.g., when device 100is a portable device, such as a cellular telephone or a laptopcomputer). As another example, power supply 106 can be configured togenerate power from a natural source (e.g., solar power using solarcells).

Communications circuitry 108 may be provided to allow device 100 tocommunicate with one or more other electronic devices using any suitablecommunications protocol. For example, communications circuitry 108 maysupport Wi-Fi™ (e.g., an 802.11 protocol), Ethernet, Bluetooth™, highfrequency systems (e.g., 900 MHz, 2.4 GHz, and 5.6 GHz communicationsystems), infrared, transmission control protocol/internet protocol(“TCP/IP”) (e.g., any of the protocols used in each of the TCP/IPlayers), hypertext transfer protocol (“HTTP”), BitTorrent™, filetransfer protocol (“FTP”), real-time transport protocol (“RTP”),real-time streaming protocol (“RTSP”), secure shell protocol (“SSH”),any other communications protocol, and any combinations thereof.Communications circuitry 108 can also include circuitry that enablesdevice 100 to be electrically coupled to another device (e.g., acomputer or an accessory device) and communicate with that other device.

One or more input components 110 may be provided to permit a user tointeract or interface with device 100. For example, input component 110can take a variety of forms, including, but not limited to, anelectronic device pad, dial, click wheel, scroll wheel, touch screen,one or more buttons (e.g., a keyboard), mouse, joy stick, track ball,microphone, camera, video recorder, and any combinations thereof. Eachinput component 110 may be configured to provide one or more dedicatedcontrol functions for making selections or issuing commands associatedwith operating device 100.

One or more output components 112 can be provided to present information(e.g., textual, graphical, audible, and/or tactile information) to auser of device 100. Output component 112 can take a variety of forms,including, but not limited to, audio speakers, headphones, signalline-outs, visual displays, antennas, infrared ports, rumblers,vibrators, and any combinations thereof.

It should be noted that one or more input components 110 and/or one ormore output components 112 may sometimes be referred to individually orcollectively herein as an input/output (“I/O”) component or I/O or userinterface. It should also be noted that one or more input components 110and one or more output components 112 may sometimes be combined toprovide a single I/O component or user interface, such as a touch screenthat may receive input information through a user's touch of a displayscreen and that may also provide visual information to a user via thatsame display screen.

Housing 101 may at least partially enclose one or more of the variouselectronic components associated with operating electronic device 100for protecting them from debris and other degrading forces external todevice 100. In some embodiments, housing 101 may include one or morewalls 120 that define a cavity 103 within which the various electroniccomponents of device 100 can be disposed. In some embodiments, housing101 can support various electronic components of device 100, such as I/Ocomponent 110 and/or I/O component 112.

In some embodiments, one or more of the electronic components ofelectronic device 100 may be provided within its own housing component(e.g., input component 110 may be an independent keyboard or mousewithin its own housing component that may wirelessly or through a wirecommunicate with processor 102, which may similarly be provided withinits own housing component). Housing 101 can be formed from a widevariety of materials including, but not limited to, metals (e.g., steel,copper, titanium, aluminum, and various metal alloys), ceramics,plastics, and any combinations thereof. Housing 101 may also help todefine the shape or form of electronic device 100. That is, the contourof housing 101 may embody the outward physical appearance of electronicdevice 100.

A light harness 114 may be provided to capture light external toelectronic device 100 and to channel the light for illuminating outputcomponent 112. For example, light harness 114 may include two open ends,each with the same diameter or each with different diameters, such as alarger end and a smaller end. Light harness 114 may be made of anysuitable material, such as glass, and may be positioned behind oradjacent to output component 112 and may extend along the length of anyedge of output component 112.

Moreover, one or more internal light sources 116 may be provided toilluminate output component 112. For example, each internal light source116 may take various forms, including, but not limited to, an LED. Insome embodiments, an array of internal light sources 116 may bepositioned along an edge of output component 112, which may be the sameedge as the position of light harness 114 or may be an edge differentfrom or opposite to the position of light harness 114. However, the oneor more internal light sources 116 may require large amounts of powerfrom power supply 106 and may not provide sufficient illumination tooutput component 112 in certain environments (e.g., if electronic device100 is outdoors).

Processor 102 of device 100 may control the operation of many functionsand other circuitry provided by device 100. For example, processor 102can receive input signals from input component 110 and/or drive outputsignals through output component 112.

Processor 102 may load a user interface program (e.g., a program storedin memory 104 or on another device or server) to determine howinstructions received via input component 110 may manipulate the way inwhich information (e.g., information stored in memory 104 or on anotherdevice or server) is provided to the user (e.g., via output component112). In some embodiments, processor 102 may control the operation ofone or more electronic components of electronic device 100 based on anysuitable condition. For example, processor 102 may cause one or moreinternal light sources 116 to emit light if processor 102 senses thatelectronic device 100 may be positioned in a location with insufficientambient light to illuminate output component 112.

Electronic device 100 is illustrated in FIGS. 2A-2C to be a laptopcomputer, although it is to be understood that electronic device 100 maybe any type of electronic device as described herein in accordance withthe invention. As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, for example, housing 101 ofelectronic device 100 may be configured to provide two housingcomponents coupled together by a hinge or clutch assembly. Particularly,housing 101 may include a base housing component 101 a and a displayhousing component 101 b coupled to one another by a hinge assembly 101c, also known as clutch assembly 101 c. Housing components 101 a, 101 b,and 101 c may be configured such that electronic device 100 may be“opened” for use (see, e.g., FIG. 2A) by rotating display housingcomponent 101 b away from base housing component 101 a in the directionof arrow O about hinge axis H of hinge assembly 101 c, and such thatelectronic device 100 may be “closed” (see, e.g., FIG. 2B) by rotatingdisplay housing component 101 b towards base housing component 101 a inthe direction of arrow C about hinge axis H. However, it should be notedthat housing 101 of device 100 is only exemplary and need not includetwo substantially hexahedral portions coupled by a hinge. For example,in certain embodiments, the housing of device 100 could generally beformed in any other suitable shape, including, but not limited to, oneor more housing components or portions that are substantially spherical,ellipsoidal, conoidal, octahedral, and any combinations thereof.

Base housing component 101 a may include a top wall 121, various sidewalls, such as front wall 122, back wall 123, right wall 124, and leftwall 125, and a bottom wall 126 opposite top wall 121. In someembodiments, one or more openings may be provided through one or more ofthe walls of housing component 101 a to at least partially expose one ormore components of electronic device 100. For example, as shown in FIGS.2A and 2C, an opening 131 may be provided through top wall 121 of basehousing component 101 a to at least partially expose an input component110 a of electronic device 100 (e.g., a keyboard assembly). In someembodiments, as shown in FIG. 2A, for example, openings 141 a and 141 bmay be provided through top wall 121 of base housing component 101 a toat least partially expose respective output components 112 a and 112 bof electronic device 100 (e.g., speaker components).

Likewise, as shown in FIGS. 2A-2C, display housing component 101 b mayinclude a top wall 162, various side walls, such as front wall 161, backwall 166, right wall 164, and left wall 165, and a bottom wall 163opposite top wall 162. In some embodiments, one or more openings may beprovided through one or more of the walls of housing component 101 b toat least partially expose one or more components of electronic device100. For example, as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2C, an opening 171 may beprovided through front wall 161 of display housing component 101 b to atleast partially expose an output component 112 c of electronic device100 (e.g., a display screen).

Input component 110 a is illustrated in FIGS. 2A and 2C to be a keyboardassembly with one or more keys 205, although it is to be understood thatinput component 110 a exposed by opening 131 through top wall 121 ofhousing component 101 a may be any type of input component as describedherein in accordance with the invention. Moreover, although outputcomponents 112 a and 112 b are illustrated in FIG. 2A to be audiospeakers, it is to be understood that each one of output components 112a and 112 b exposed by a respective opening 141 through top wall 121 ofhousing component 101 a may be any type of output component as describedherein in accordance with the invention. Similarly, although outputcomponent 112 c is illustrated in FIGS. 2A and 2C to be a visualdisplay, it is to be understood that output component 112 c exposed byopening 171 through front wall 161 of housing component 101 b also maybe any type of output component as described herein in accordance withthe invention.

FIG. 2C is a cross-sectional view of the electronic device of FIGS.1-2B, taken from line IIC-IIC of FIG. 2A, in accordance with someembodiments of the invention. Base housing component 101 a mayincorporate any suitable components of electronic device 100, such asprocessor 102, memory 104, power supply 106, or any other suitablecomponent. Hinge assembly 101 c may permit display housing component 101b to rotate about hinge axis H with respect to base housing component101 a in the direction of arrow O to “open” electronic device 100 or inthe direction of arrow C to “close” electronic device 100.

As shown in FIG. 2C, display housing component 101 b may include displayscreen 112 c and also may include any suitable light harness (e.g.,manifold) and any suitable number of internal light sources toilluminate display screen 112 c. For example, display housing component101 b may include a light harness 114-1 positioned between hingeassembly 101 c and bottom edge 21 of display screen 112 c. A secondlight harness 114-2 may be positioned between top edge 23 of displayscreen 112 c and top wall 162 of display housing component 101 b. Lightharnesses 114-1 and 114-2 may be used to channel light from any suitableexternal source across display screen 112 c to illuminate display screen112 c. Display housing component 101 b also may include an array of oneor more internal light sources 116-1 positioned between hinge assembly101 c and bottom edge 21 of display screen 112 c and adjacent lightharness 114-1. Similarly, an array of one or more internal light sources116-2 may be positioned between top edge 23 of display screen 112 c andtop wall 162 of display housing component 101 b and adjacent lightharness 114-2. Internal light sources 116-1 and 116-2 may emit lightacross display screen 112 c to illuminate display screen 112 c.

In some embodiments, display housing component 101 b may include anysuitable alternative arrangement of light harnesses and internal lightsources to illuminate display screen 112 c. For example, display housingcomponent 101 b may include only one light harness 114-1 or 114-2 and nointernal light sources because internal light sources may consume largeamounts of power from power supply 106. In some embodiments, a lightharness may be included in display housing component 101 b in anysuitable position with respect to an array of light sources. Forexample, a light harness and internal light sources may be positionedadjacent to one another, as shown in FIG. 2C, but along only one edge ofdisplay screen 112 c. Alternatively, a light harness may be positionedon one edge of display screen 112 c (e.g., bottom edge 21) that may beopposite from the position of an array of internal light sources (e.g.,positioned on top edge 23). In some embodiments (not shown), one or morelight harnesses and one or more arrays of internal light sources may bepositioned behind or in front of display screen 112 c.

FIG. 3A shows a perspective view of a light harness (e.g., a manifold)in accordance with some embodiments of the invention. Light harness114-1 may be provided as a manifold 300, that may include two open endshaving different cross-sectional areas (e.g., different diameters), suchas larger end 305 a and smaller end 305 b. In some embodiments, lightharness 114-1 may include two open ends having the same cross-sectionalarea (e.g., the same diameter) and the walls of manifold 300 between thetwo open ends may be parallel to longitudinal axis L.

Manifold 300 may be made of any suitable material, such as glass, andmay include surface treatments on internal surface 301 and/or internalsurface 303 (e.g., white dots of ink or areas where the internal surface301 or 303 may include roughness) that may be used to balance lightentering manifold 300, or to spread light within manifold 300 in adesired manner, before the light exits manifold 300 to illuminatedisplay screen 112 c. Manifold 300 may be positioned in any suitablemanner to illuminate a display screen of an electronic device. Forexample, manifold 300 may be positioned below display screen 112 c atits base (e.g., along bottom edge 21 of display screen 112 c of FIG. 2Cas shown with light harness 114-1). In some embodiments, an array of oneor more internal light sources 60 (or light sources 116-1 of FIG. 2C)may be positioned along an edge of display screen 112 c. In someembodiments, internal light sources 60 may be positioned along the sameedge 21 as manifold 300, along a different edge (e.g., opposite edge 23)to emit light (e.g., light 360′) across the surface of display screen112 c, or behind or in front of display screen 112 c. In someembodiments (not shown), internal light sources 60 also may bepositioned at one end of manifold 300 and may emit light into manifold300 for reflection across display screen 112 c. However, internal lightsources 60 may consume a large amount of power from power supply 106(see, e.g., FIGS. 1, 2C) to illuminate display screen 112 c and also maynot sufficiently illuminate display screen 112 c if electronic device100 is exposed to a certain amount of ambient light.

Light 310 from an external source 495 (e.g., the sun, or an auxiliarylight bulb positioned near end 305 a, and/or any other accessoryilluminator with a separate battery that may power only the illuminator)may be positioned near and may travel into an end of manifold 300 (e.g.,larger end 305 a). Ray of light 320 from external source 495, forexample, may enter end 305 a of manifold 300 and may be initiallyreflected by the top interior surface 303 of manifold 300 at an initialangle θ. Ray 320 may be reflected within manifold 300 from initial angleθ to a second angle θ+2β by bottom internal surface 301 and then to athird angle θ+4β, and yet again until the angle of reflection of ray 320may be greater than the total internal reflection of the material liningthe interior of manifold 300.

Ray 320 may then exit from manifold 300 as light ray 320′ in a directionparallel to axis Z, which may be perpendicular to longitudinal axis L ofmanifold 300, to illuminate display screen 112 c. In some embodiments,light ray 320′ may include any suitable residual angle with respect tomanifold 300. Manifold 300 (e.g., walls 301 and 303) may be angled withrespect to display screen 112 c such that all light 310 enteringmanifold 300, such as ray 320, may be aimed (e.g., may exit manifold 300in a direction parallel to axis Z or in a direction forming any othersuitable residual angle with manifold 300) out of manifold 300 towardsdisplay screen 112 c. In some embodiments, manifold 300 may includesurface treatments on internal surface 301 and/or internal surface 303(e.g., white dots of ink or areas where the internal surface 301 or 303may include roughness) that may be used to balance light enteringmanifold 300 (e.g., ray 320), or to scatter light in a desired manner,before the light exits manifold 300 to illuminate display screen 112 c.

As shown in FIG. 3B, manifold 300 may include an internalcross-sectional area of diameter d that may decrease between thediameter of larger end 305 a (e.g., a diameter of three millimeters) andthe diameter of smaller end 305 b (e.g., a diameter of one millimeter).In some embodiments, the internal cross-sectional area of manifold 300may depend on the brightness of external source 495 and/or the degree ofcollimation of ray of light 320. Manifold 300 may include any suitablereflective material 330 positioned along at least bottom surface 301 ofmanifold 300. Reflective material 330 may be oriented with respect tomanifold 300 so as to aim light (e.g., collimated light ray 320′)upwards out of manifold 300 in a direction parallel to axis Z.Reflective material 330 also may prevent light from exiting throughbottom surface 301 of manifold 300 and away from display screen 112 c.

In some embodiments, one or more internal light sources 60 (e.g., LEDs)may be positioned underneath or behind manifold 300 with respect todisplay screen 112 c, as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, to emit light (e.g.,light 360′) across the surface of display screen 112 c. Internal lightsources 60 may scatter light 360′ in any suitable direction, includingfor example, the same angle at which light may be emitted from manifold300, or at any suitable angle with respect to manifold 300 or displayscreen 112 c, to illuminate display screen 112 c. Internal light sources60 may be used in conjunction with manifold 300 to illuminate displayscreen 112 c using light rays 320′ and 360′.

FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional view of a portion of electronic device100 including a light harness 114-2 in accordance with some embodimentsof the invention. Light harness 114-2 may be provided as a manifold 400that may perform a similar function as manifold 300 of FIG. 3A whenplaced near an edge of a display screen (see, e.g., top edge 23 ofdisplay screen 112 c of FIGS. 2C and 4). Manifold 400 may have a squarecross-section (not shown) or any other suitable shape. For example,manifold 400 may have dimensions of one millimeter in height and width,and a length equal to the length of an edge of display screen 112 c.

Manifold 400 may include any suitable number of reflecting cones 410that may be molded into manifold 400 to aim light traveling acrossmanifold 400. Reflecting cones 410 may be coated with any suitablecoating, such as a silver coating, to permit reflection of externallight traveling across manifold 400. In some embodiments, reflectingcones 410 may be more closely spaced together toward the end furthestfrom where light enters manifold 400.

As shown in FIG. 4, external light, such as ray 420, may enter manifold400 and may encounter one or more reflecting cones 410. A portion of ray420, such as ray 420′ from external light source 495, may be reflecteddownwards out of manifold 400 in a direction parallel to axis Z′ (e.g.,an axis perpendicular to a longitudinal axis L′ of manifold 400) toilluminate a portion of display screen 112 c. The remaining portion oflight, such as ray 420″, may travel across manifold 400 until it reachesanother reflecting cone 410, and a portion of ray 420″ (e.g., ray 420′″)may be reflected out of manifold 400 also in a direction parallel toaxis Z′ to illuminate another portion of display screen 112 c. Theremaining portion of ray 420 may travel across a portion of theremaining length of manifold 400 and may reflect a portion of its lightdownwards out of manifold 400 with each encounter of another reflectingcone 410. Using manifold 300 and/or manifold 400 to illuminate a displayscreen may lower the power consumption and the weight of an electronicdevice, as an internal light source that may increase battery usage andthe weight of the electronic device may not be necessary.

In some embodiments, manifold 400 may also be integrated with anysuitable number of internal light sources 60. For example, an internallight source 60 (e.g., an LED) may be placed between two reflectingcones 410, as shown in FIG. 4, and may emit light in a directionparallel to axis Z′ toward and across display screen 112 c. Thecombination of the light emitted from the internal light sources and thelight reflected by reflecting cones 410 may increase the amount of aimedlight exiting manifold 400 in a direction parallel to axis Z′.

FIG. 2A also shows a perspective view of a collector and a light harnessinput coupled to electronic device 100 in accordance with someembodiments of the invention. A light harness 114 of device 100 (e.g.,manifold 300 of FIGS. 3A and 3B or manifold 400 of FIG. 4) may becoupled to a collector 370 via a light harness input 380. Collector 370may include any suitable material and be of any suitable shape forcollecting light from an external light source (e.g., external ambientlight 310 or 420 from external light source 495 of FIGS. 3A and 4). Forexample, collector 370 may be a mirror placed externally to electronicdevice 100. In some embodiments, collector 370 may resemble anopen-mouthed funnel. Collector 370 may be pointed at an external lightsource. For example, if collector 370 is a solar collector, thencollector 370 may be exposed to sunlight and may be configured to facethe sun (e.g., external light source 495 of FIGS. 3A and 4). The user ofelectronic device 100 may position collector 370 toward a light source,or collector 370 may be configured to automatically redirect itselftoward a light source (e.g., with light detectors, solar power cells, ora motor). In some embodiments, collector 370 may be constructed so thatthe user of electronic device 100 may be protected from the light sourcewhile collector 370 collects light from the light source. For example,collector 370 may resemble an umbrella, and may include thin reflectivematerial on a lightweight frame that the user may collapse when not inuse.

Collector 370 may be coupled to light harness input 380 at the base ofcollector 370. Input 380 may include any suitable material and may be ofany suitable shape to channel light obtained by collector 370 into alight harness of device 100. For example, input 380 may include a fiberoptic cable that may focus a high intensity of light from collector 370into a light harness (e.g., manifold 300 of FIGS. 3A and 3B or manifold400 of FIG. 4) for spreading the collected light across the length ofdisplay screen 112 c. In some embodiments, electronic device 100 may beplaced in an isolated location that may have an intense light sourceother than a solar source. Using a fiber optic cable, such as lightharness input 380 for collecting and channeling light, may allow a userto forgo coupling collector 370 to light harness input 380 whileadequately illuminating display screen 112 c.

FIGS. 5A-5D show an electronic device 500 in accordance with someembodiments of the invention. Electronic device 500 may include an inputmechanism 510 and a display screen 520 that may be the same as, and mayinclude some or all of the features of, electronic device 100 (FIGS.1-4), input component 110 (FIGS. 1-2C) and display screen 112 c (FIGS.1-4). Electronic device 500 may include a reflector 550, at least aportion of which may be coupled to device 500 adjacent or to the rear ofdisplay screen 520. Reflector 550 may be used to reflect light when in aclosed position (e.g., a portion 551 of reflector 550 may adhere, snap,or be held magnetically to device 500 such that reflector 550 may bepositioned along the rear of display screen 520 in a closed position ofFIGS. 5A and 5C).

FIGS. 5B and 5D show electronic device 500, but with reflector 550 in anopen position, in accordance with some embodiments of the invention.Reflector 550 may be coupled to the base of display screen 520 or to ahinge assembly 101 c (FIGS. 2A-2C) or any other portion of device 500such that reflector 550 may be opened for use (see, e.g., FIGS. 5B and5D) by rotating a portion of reflector 550 (e.g., portion 551) usinghinge assembly 101 c away from display screen 520, and such thatreflector 550 may be closed (see, e.g., FIGS. 5A and 5D) by rotating theportion of reflector 550 (e.g., portion 551) using hinge assembly 101 ctowards display screen 520. Alternatively, reflector 550 may be coupledto any other suitable component that may allow reflector 550 to rotateor otherwise move with respect to display screen 520. When exposed to anexternal light source 575 (e.g., the sun), reflector 550 may collectlight emitted by light source 575, such as ray 506 (FIG. 5B) or rays580, 585, and 590 (FIG. 5D), and may redirect ray 506 or rays 580, 585,and 590 toward display screen 520. Portion 551 of reflector 550 may bereleased to rotate away from display screen 520 using any suitablemeans, such as by pressing a button or using a wrist flick motionsimilar to that used to open a cellular telephone.

Electronic device 500 may include keyboard 510 for a user to provideinputs to electronic device 500, circuit board 525 (which may includeprocessor 102, memory 104, power supply 106, and/or communicationscircuitry 108 of FIG. 1) for processing signals generated by andreceived by electronic device 500, and any other suitable features.

Electronic device 500 may include an array of internal light sources 530positioned along an edge of display screen 520 that may emit light toprovide illumination of display screen 520. Electronic device 500 mayalso include a light harness 540, positioned along an edge of displayscreen 520, that may be the same as, and may include some or all of thefeatures of, either manifold 300 of FIGS. 3A and 3B or manifold 400 ofFIG. 4, for example.

FIG. 5C shows a side view of electronic device 500 with reflector 550 ina closed position in accordance with some embodiments of the invention.As shown in FIG. 5C, reflector 550 may include any suitable material tocollect and reflect light emitted by internal light sources 530 (e.g.,ray 560), light harness 540 (e.g., ray 565), or any other suitable lightsource toward rear face 520 a of display screen 520. For example,reflector 550 may include a silver, or any other suitable reflectivematerial, lining on face 550 a (e.g., the face closest to rear face 520a) to enhance the reflection of light by reflector 550. Reflector 550may also lower the power consumption of electronic device 500, forexample, by eliminating the need for an internal light source 530 todraw on the battery power (e.g., power supply 106, FIG. 1) of electronicdevice 500 to illuminate display screen 520. Reflector 550 also mayinclude any suitable shape to collect and reflect the emitted light. Forexample, reflector 550 may be curved as shown, or reflector plate 550may be flat, angular (e.g., forming a “V” shape), elliptical, or anyother suitable shape.

FIG. 5D shows a side view of electronic device 500 with reflector 550 inan open position, in accordance with some embodiments of the invention.As shown, reflector 550 may be coupled (e.g., hinged) to electronicdevice 500 behind internal light sources 530 and light harness 540, forexample, thereby permitting reflector 550 to rotate away from displayscreen 520 to collect ambient light or to rotate toward display screen520 to reflect light emitted by internal light sources 530 and/or lightharness 540. For example, a user of electronic device 500 may takeelectronic device 500 outdoors into sunlight. Internal light sources 530and light harness 540 may not emit sufficient light to illuminatedisplay screen 520 in the sunlit environment so that the user may useelectronic device 500. The user may rotate reflector 550 away fromdisplay screen 520, such as by pressing a button, detaching portion 551of reflector 550 magnetically or otherwise from the top of displayscreen 520, or using a wrist flick motion similar to that used to open acellular telephone. Reflector 550, when rotated downward into an openposition, may collect ambient light, such as rays 580 and 585 from lightsource 575, and may reflect rays 580 and 585 toward rear face 520 a ofdisplay 520. Ambient light may also reach rear face 520 a without firstcontacting reflector 550, as shown with ray 590, for example.

In some embodiments, reflector 550 may be moved in any suitable fashionto collect and reflect light toward display screen 520. The direction inwhich reflector 550 may be moved may depend on the direction from whichthe light being used to illuminate display screen 520 is coming. Forexample, reflector 550 may rotate away from or towards display screen520, as described. Alternatively, reflector 550 may be rotated, slid, orotherwise moved from side to side or at an angle with respect to anyedge of display screen 520.

FIG. 6A shows a side view of an electronic device with a translucentsurface in accordance with some embodiments of the invention. Electronicdevice 700 may include keyboard 710, display screen 720, circuit board725, and internal light sources 730, all of which may be the same as,and may include some or all of the features of, electronic device 500,keyboard 510, display screen 520, circuit board 525, and internal lightsources 530, respectively, of FIGS. 5A-5D. Electronic device 700 mayalso include a translucent surface 740. Translucent surface 740 mayinclude any suitable material and may be of any suitable shape forpermitting light from an external light source 760 to pass throughtranslucent surface 740 to provide illumination of display screen 720,while also protecting rear face 720 a of display screen 720. Forexample, external light source 760 may emit rays 760 a, 760 b, and 760 cthat may contact translucent surface 740. Translucent surface 740 mayallow rays 760 a, 760 b, and 760 c to pass through translucent surface740 and contact rear face 720 a of display screen 720 to illuminatedisplay screen 720.

In some embodiments, rather than positioning translucent surface 740behind display screen 720, rear face 720 a of display screen 720 mayitself be translucent, thereby allowing display screen 720 to useambient light, provided that rear face 720 a is facing the ambient lightsource. Translucent surface 740 may be provided in any of theembodiments described herein to protect the rear face of a displayscreen.

FIG. 6B shows a side view of electronic device 700, but with a reflector750 positioned between translucent surface 740 and display screen 720 inaccordance with some embodiments of the invention. At the base oradjacent any other portion of display screen 720, electronic device 700also may include an array of internal light sources and/or a lightharness 730 for use in illuminating display screen 720 or channelingambient light to illuminate display screen 720. Translucent surface 740may be removable from electronic device 700. Reflector 750 may be thesame as, and may include some or all of the features of, reflector 550.Reflector 750 may be removable from between display screen 720 andtranslucent surface 740 if, for example, a user of electronic device 700desires ambient light (e.g., rays 760 a, 760 b, and 760 c of ambientsource 760) to pass through translucent surface 740 to illuminatedisplay screen 720. If there is no ambient light sufficient toilluminate display screen 720, then the user may replace reflector 750between display screen 720 and translucent surface 740. Reflector 750may reflect light emitted by an array of internal light sources and/orlight harness 730 toward display screen 720.

FIGS. 7A and 7B show a side view of an electronic device 800, which maybe similar to device 700 of FIGS. 6A and 6B, but with a translucentsurface repositioned with respect to a reflector in accordance with someembodiments of the invention. Electronic device 800 may include keyboard810, display screen 820, and circuit board 825, all of which may be thesame as, and may include some or all of the features of, electronicdevice 500, keyboard 510, display screen 520, and circuit board 525,respectively, of FIGS. 5A-5D. A translucent surface 840 may be removablypositioned between display screen 820 and a reflector 850. Translucentsurface 840 may be positioned adjacent one or more internal lightsources or light harness 830. Reflector 850 may be detachable fromdevice 800 or otherwise repositionable with respect to screen 820 (e.g.,using a hinge assembly) as described above with respect to FIGS. 5A-5D.Reflector 850 may be detached from device 800 or may pivot about a hingeto rotate away from display screen 820 to expose translucent surface 840to an ambient light source that may pass rays of light to display screen820 as well as to permit reflector 850 to collect and reflect additionalambient light rays toward display screen 820.

FIG. 7B shows a side view of electronic device 800, but with reflector850 in an open position, in accordance with some embodiments of theinvention. Reflector 850 may rotate away from display screen 820 to theopen position of FIG. 7B to collect ambient light from an ambient lightsource 860 or may rotate toward display screen 820 to the closedposition of FIG. 7A to reflect light emitted by an array of internallight sources and/or light harness 830. For example, a user ofelectronic device 800 may take electronic device 800 outdoors intosunlight. An array of internal light sources and/or light harness 830may not emit sufficient light to illuminate display screen 820 in thesunlit environment such that the user may use electronic device 800.Therefore, the user may reposition reflector 850 away from displayscreen 820, such as by pressing a button, detaching reflector 850magnetically or otherwise from the top of display screen 820, or using awrist flick motion similar to that used to open a cellular telephone.Reflector 850, when repositioned into an open position, may collectambient light, such as rays 880 and 885 from light source 860, and mayreflect rays 880 and 885 toward rear face 820 a of display screen 820.The ambient light may also reach rear face 820 a without firstcontacting reflector 850, as shown with rays 890 and 895. Thecombination of the reflected rays 880 and 885 and the direct rays 890and 895 reaching rear face 820 a may illuminate display screen 820sufficiently to allow a user to use electronic device 800 in thepresence of ambient light source 860.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of an illustrative process for illuminating adisplay screen using a light harness in accordance with some embodimentsof the invention. Process 900 may begin at step 902. At step 904, alight harness (e.g., manifold 300 or manifold 400) may be positionedadjacent to a display screen. For example, manifold 300 may bepositioned adjacent bottom edge 21 or top edge 23 of display screen 112c (FIG. 2C). At step 906, light emitted from an external light sourcemay be channeled into the light harness. For example, a collector suchas collector 370 may gather light rays from an ambient source, such asthe sun, and may channel the gathered light into the light harness.Alternatively, an external light source, such as an accessory light bulbwith its own power source, may be positioned adjacent to an open end ofthe light harness so that light from the light bulb may be channeledinto the light harness. Process 900 may advance to step 908, where thecollected light may be emitted from the light harness to illuminate adisplay screen of an electronic device. Process 900 may then advance tostep 910 and end.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart of an illustrative process for illuminating adisplay screen using a reflector in accordance with some embodiments ofthe invention. Process 1000 may begin at step 1002. At step 1004, areflector (e.g., reflector 550, reflector 750, or reflector 850) may bepositioned behind a display screen such that a face of the reflectorthat may possess a reflective lining (e.g., face 550 a, FIG. 5C) tocollect and reflect light from an external light source may be facingthe rear face of the display screen (e.g., face 520 a, FIGS. 5C-5D). Atstep 1006, the reflector may be exposed to light emitted from anexternal light source (e.g., light source 575) and may collect at leastsome of the emitted light. This may be accomplished by repositioning atleast a portion of the reflector with respect to the display screen,such as by rotating the reflector away from the display screen to “open”the reflector. Process 1000 may advance to step 1008, where thecollected light may be reflected by the reflector toward the rear faceof the display screen so as to illuminate the display screen with thereflected light. Process 1000 may then advance to step 1010 and end.

While there have been described apparatus and methods for harnessingexternal light to illuminate a display screen of a variety of electronicdevices, it is to be understood that many changes may be made thereinwithout departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It willalso be understood that various directional and orientational terms suchas “up” and “down,” “left” and “right,” “top” and “bottom,” “side” and“edge” and “corner,” “horizontal” and “vertical,” and the like are usedherein only for convenience, and that no fixed or absolute directionalor orientational limitations are intended by the use of these words. Forexample, the positioning of a light harness, a reflector, or atranslucent surface in this invention can have any desired orientation.If reoriented, different directional or orientational terms may need tobe used in their description, but that will not alter their fundamentalnature as within the scope of the invention. Those skilled in the artwill appreciate that the invention can be practiced by other than thedescribed embodiments, which are presented for purposes of illustrationrather than of limitation, and the invention is limited only by theclaims which follow.

1. An electronic device comprising: a display screen; and a lightharness, wherein: the light harness includes a first surface extendingalong an edge of the display screen between a first end of the lightharness and a second end of the light harness; the first end isconfigured to collect light external to the electronic device; and thefirst surface is configured to emit the collected light from the lightharness for illuminating the display screen.
 2. The electronic device ofclaim 1, wherein the light harness is cylindrical.
 3. The electronicdevice of claim 1, further comprising a reflective material positionedalong a portion of the first surface of the light harness.
 4. Theelectronic device of claim 1, wherein the light harness is hexahedral.5. An electronic device comprising: a display screen; a light harness,wherein: the light harness includes a first surface extending between afirst end and a second end; the first end is configured to collect lightexternal to the electronic device; and the first surface is configuredto emit the collected light from the light harness for illuminating thedisplay screen; and a reflecting cone positioned along a portion of thefirst surface of the light harness.
 6. The electronic device of claim 1,further comprising a light collector coupled to the first end of thelight harness.
 7. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the lightharness is a light guide pipe.
 8. An electronic device comprising: adisplay screen; a translucent surface; an internal light component; anda reflector having a first face operative to reflect light provided bythe internal light component toward the display screen for illuminatingthe display screen when the reflector is in a first position between thetranslucent surface and the display screen, wherein the reflector isremovable from the first position.
 9. An electronic device comprising: adisplay screen; and a reflector having a first face operative to reflectlight external to the electronic device toward the display screen forilluminating the display screen, wherein the reflector is configured torotate with respect to the display screen to expose the first face tothe light external to the electronic device.
 10. The electronic deviceof claim 8, wherein a first side of the display screen is exposed to thereflector when the reflector is in the first position, and wherein thefirst side is translucent.
 11. The electronic device of claim 8, whereinthe translucent surface is a translucent protective layer configured topass light for illuminating the display screen.
 12. The electronicdevice of claim 11, wherein the translucent layer is removable from theelectronic device.
 13. An electronic device comprising: a displayscreen; a reflector having a first face operative to reflect lightexternal to the electronic device toward the display screen forilluminating the display screen; and a translucent protective layerconfigured to pass light for illuminating the display screen, whereinthe translucent layer is positioned between the display screen and thereflector, and wherein the reflector is configured to rotate withrespect to the display screen and the translucent layer to expose thefirst face and the translucent layer to the light external to theelectronic device.
 14. A method of illuminating a display screen of anelectronic device with a light harness that extends between a first endand a second end, the method comprising: positioning the light harnessadjacent a first face of the display screen, wherein the positioningcomprises positioning the first end of the light harness adjacent afirst end of a first edge of the first face of the display screen andpositioning the second end of the light harness adjacent a second end ofthe first edge of the first face of the display screen; collecting lightexternal to the electronic device into the light harness via the firstend of the light harness; and emitting the collected light from thelight harness toward the first face of the display screen.
 15. Themethod of claim 14, further comprising providing a translucent layeroperative to pass the light external to the electronic device forilluminating the display screen.
 16. A method of illuminating a displayscreen of an electronic device with a translucent surface and areflector having a first face, the method comprising: positioning thefirst face of the reflector in a first position opposite a first side ofthe display screen, between the display screen and the translucentsurface; reflecting light provided by an internal component of thedevice with the first face of the reflector toward the first side of thedisplay screen when the reflector is positioned in the first position;removing the reflector from the first position; and passing lightexternal to the electronic device through the translucent surface towardthe first side of the display screen when the reflector is removed fromthe first position.
 17. A method of illuminating a display screen of anelectronic device with a reflector having a first face, the methodcomprising: positioning the first face of the reflector opposite a firstside of the display screen; and reflecting light external to theelectronic device with the first face of the reflector toward the firstside of the display screen, wherein the reflector is configured torotate with respect to the display screen to expose the first face ofthe reflector to the light external to the electronic device.
 18. Theelectronic device of claim 1, wherein the light harness is configured toreflect the collected light within an interior space of the lightharness defined by the first surface.
 19. The electronic device of claim18, wherein the light harness is further configured to emit thereflected light out from within the interior space through a portion ofthe first surface.
 20. The electronic device of claim 18, wherein thelight harness is further configured to emit the reflected light out fromwithin the interior space through a portion of the first surface whenthe angle of reflection of the reflected light exceeds the totalinternal reflection of the portion of the first surface.
 21. Theelectronic device of claim 1, wherein the light harness is configuredto: collimate the collected light within the light harness; and emit thecollimated light in a first direction out from within the light harness.22. The electronic device of claim 21, wherein the first direction isparallel to the longitudinal axis of the light harness.
 23. Theelectronic device of claim 21, wherein the first direction isperpendicular to the edge of the display screen.
 24. The electronicdevice of claim 1, further comprising an internal light sourcepositioned at the second end of the light harness.
 25. The electronicdevice of claim 24, wherein: the second end of the light harness isconfigured to receive internal light generated by the internal lightsource; and the first surface is configured to emit the receivedinternal light from the light harness for illuminating the displayscreen.
 26. The electronic device of claim 1, further comprising aninternal light source positioned within an interior space of the lightharness defined by the first surface.
 27. The electronic device of claim1, wherein the first end of the light harness is an open end.
 28. Theelectronic device of claim 27, wherein the second end of the lightharness is an open end.
 29. The electronic device of claim 1, whereinthe light harness comprises a fiber optic cable.
 30. The electronicdevice of claim 1, wherein the first end of the light harness is coupledto a first end of a fiber optic cable.
 31. The electronic device ofclaim 30, wherein a light collector is coupled to a second end of thefiber optic cable.
 32. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein theedge is a bottom edge of the display screen.
 33. The electronic deviceof claim 32, further comprising a display housing, wherein the lightharness is positioned between the bottom edge of the display screen anda bottom wall of the display housing.
 34. The electronic device of claim32, further comprising an internal light source positioned underneaththe bottom edge of the display and adjacent to the light harness. 35.The electronic device of claim 1, further comprising a display housing,wherein the edge is a top edge of the display screen, and wherein thelight harness is positioned between the top edge of the display screenand a top wall of the display housing.
 36. The electronic device ofclaim 1, further comprising a second light harness extending along asecond edge of the display screen.
 37. The electronic device of claim 1,wherein the cross-sectional area of the first end of the light harnessis larger than the cross-sectional area of the second end of the lightharness.
 38. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein thecross-sectional diameter of the first end of the light harness is 3millimeters.
 39. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein thecross-sectional diameter of the second end of the light harness is 1millimeter.
 40. The electronic device of claim 1, further comprising areflector operative to reflect additional light external to theelectronic device toward the display screen for illuminating the displayscreen when the reflector is in an open position with respect to thedisplay screen.
 41. The electronic device of claim 40, wherein thereflector is further operative to reflect at least a portion of theemitted light toward the display screen when the reflector is in aclosed position with respect to the display screen.
 42. The electronicdevice of claim 40, further comprising an internal light source, whereinthe reflector is further operative to reflect light generated by theinternal light source toward the display screen when the reflector is ina closed position with respect to the display screen.
 43. The electronicdevice of claim 6, wherein the light collector is configured to: capturethe light external to the electronic device; and channel to the firstend of the light harness the captured light external to the electronicdevice.
 44. The electronic device of claim 6, further comprising ahousing for the display screen, wherein at least a portion of the lightcollector is positioned external to the housing.
 45. The electronicdevice of claim 6, wherein the light collector is configured toautomatically redirect itself toward a light source external to theelectronic device.
 46. The electronic device of claim 6, wherein thelight collector is configured to be moved by a user with respect to thedevice for pointing the light collector toward a light source externalto the electronic device.
 47. The electronic device of claim 8, wherein,when the reflector is removed from the first position, the translucentsurface passes light external to the device through the translucentsurface for illuminating the display screen.
 48. The electronic deviceof claim 8, wherein, when the reflector is removed from the firstposition, the translucent surface protects a rear surface of the displayscreen.
 49. The electronic device of claim 8, wherein the reflector isremovable from the electronic device.
 50. The electronic device of claim8, wherein the first face of the reflector is curved.
 51. The electronicdevice of claim 8, wherein the internal light component is an internallight source.
 52. The electronic device of claim 8, wherein the internallight component is a light harness.
 53. The electronic device of claim52, wherein: the light harness includes a first surface extendingbetween a first end of the light harness and a second end of the lightharness; the first end is configured to collect light external to theelectronic device; and the first surface is configured to emit thecollected light from the light harness.
 54. The method of claim 14,further comprising reflecting the collected light within the lightharness, wherein the emitting comprises emitting the reflected collectedlight from the light harness toward the first face of the displayscreen.
 55. The method of claim 14, further comprising collimating thecollected light within the light harness, wherein the emitting comprisesemitting the collimated collected light from the light harness towardthe first face of the display screen.
 56. The method of claim 16,wherein the removing comprises a user removing the reflector from theelectronic device.